Sierra Club sues EPA over Oklahoma Power Plants

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The Sierra Club has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that a loophole in federal regulations allows Oklahoma power plants to exceed emissions standards.

The environmental group claims that power plants are permitted to exceed emissions standards during certain phases of operations.

An EPA spokesman tells the Journal Record that the agency is still reviewing the lawsuit.

The plants involved include the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co.'s Muskogee plant. OG&E has another coal-fired power plant in Red Rock. A spokesman for OG&E says the company will follow whatever process the EPA approves.

The Sierra Club claims that the EPA's policies allow Oklahoma plants to pump more mercury and smog into the air than in other places around the country.